“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 1:7 NLT
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the foundation, the very essence and starting point of true understanding. Before we gather all the books in the world in pursuit of wisdom, we must first learn to fear the Lord. Without the fear of God, scripture says, you are not wise. There is a difference between wisdom and intelligence. You may be intelligent, yet still not wise. Why? Because there is only one divine formula for wisdom: fear God and receive wisdom.
What then is the difference between wisdom and intelligence? Intelligence is the ability to understand, analyze, to grasp knowledge. It’s of the mind , developed through study, experience, and reasoning. We now have Ai? Artificial intelligence. Systems built to overthrow human intelligence. It’s a mind game. Intelligent people can solve problems, make calculations, and excel academically or professionally. It’s a gift, but it operates mainly in the things of logic and information.
Wisdom, however, goes deeper. It is the right application of knowledge, guided by reverence for God and moral discernment. Wisdom is not just knowing what to do, but doing what pleases God. It’s rooted in the fear of the Lord, meaning a deep respect, awe, and submission to His ways. Wise people don’t just solve problems, they solve them excellently.
In short:
- Intelligence helps you navigate the world education and systems while wisdom can help you rule it and stand out.
- Intelligence is of the mind.
- Wisdom is of the spirit. It is a dimension of God Himself
- Intelligence can build systems but wisdom sustains them. It keeps them intact.
The principal part of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Anyone who doesn’t fear the Lord is termed a “fool.” Why? Because if you were truly wise, you would recognize that such a beautifully crafted world could never exist without the hand of God.
Do you know why intelligence alone is not enough? Scientists have studied countless things , they are intelligent, yes but without the fear of God, all that knowledge amounts to nothing. According to scripture, they are still termed fools. Foolishness has nothing to do with whether you are a professor or a president. If the fear of the Lord is missing, then all you are is a scholar.
Don’t you think there were intelligent men during Solomon’s time? Of course there were! They were the ones who built the temple and his palace. Yet among them all, Solomon was the wisest and that’s why he ruled over them. He was not just intelligent; he feared the Lord, and that was his greatness. How many intelligent people do you know? Plenty, I’m sure , the A-students, the high achievers. But how many wise people do you know? Did you notice how the number drops? There are many intelligent yet unwise people. That’s why we have countless “brilliant innovations,” but when it comes to implementation, there are mistakes and those mistakes bleed into the systems of life, families, and nations.
So, are you content with just being intelligent able to solve mathematical problems? What happens when you have to solve life problems? Will you apply formulas and equations? No. You must be both intelligent and wise. And wisdom begins here: with the fear and reverence of the Lord. Do you respect God? Or have you reduced Him to being just one of your buddies?
Solomon gives a powerful teaching. In the introduction of this book, he reminds us that it all begins with God. Do you want to become wise? Then start with God. God is not your age mate. He is not your colleague, nor one of your employees. He is GOD , the Creator, the Almighty, the beginning and the end. When you truly understand who He is, that revelation will birth reverence within you , the very fear of the Lord that marks the start of wisdom.
See you tomorrow. ❤️